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Anti-social tenant evicted after over 20 years

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by Douglas Patient, Reporter, covering Wanstead and Woodford. Call me on 07824 530 127

A tenant who is said to have made her neighbours' lives “a nightmare” for 20 years has finally been evicted.

Residents at Chartwell Court in Broomhill Walk, Woodford Green, have repeatedly been calling for action over the woman, who was said to have regularly abused people living in the block, left drug paraphernalia in communal areas and had visitors throughout the night.

Housing Association Home Group promised to closely monitor the situation when contacted by the Guardian in March last year.

Woodford Green MP Iain Duncan Smith also intervened on behalf of the residents and called for the woman to be evicted.

Home Group has said it evicted her from the flat last Thursday without “major incident” and is arranging for her to be escorted back to Chartwell Court so she can collect her belongings.

Mr Duncan-Smith said: “I was very pleased to learn from Home Group that the problem tenant has finally been evicted.

"This woman made her neighbours’ lives a nightmare for over 20 years, leaving drugs paraphernalia everywhere, having men arrive and leave at all hours, abusing her neighbours and generally trashing the place.

“I visited Chartwell Court twice while she was living there and I was appalled at the mess and destruction she was causing. Her neighbours were living in a state of absolute terror.

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“I was in contact with Home Group for a year and half, putting pressure on them to begin eviction proceedings; it took a long time but we got there in the end.”

In an email to Mr Duncan Smith, which has been seen by the Guardian, acting head of customer services at home Group, Nicki Burton, said: “I can confirm that her eviction went ahead on February 6 without major incident.

"We are currently trying to arrange a suitable time when she can be escorted back to Chartwell Court under escort to collect the remainder of her belongings.

“There have been a couple of occasions where she has since gained access to Chartwell Court but we have now disconnected her communal door entry fob from the system so hopefully this should make things more difficult for her.

“If problems persist, Home Group will consider taking out an injunction prohibiting her from coming back into Chartwell Court.”